76. The Dating Game: Romance Novel Edition

Update: Bal Khabra, who was scheduled to appear in this event, is unfortunately no longer able to join us.

Looking for a hot new romance novel to sweep you off your feet? We’ve got three irresistible suitors for you! Inspired by dating game shows of yore, this panel puts romance authors in the hot seat to help you find your next match. Katrina Kwan returns to the Festival with Love Among Thieves, a spicy romance between a hacker and his target. In Let’s Kiss and Tell, Canada Reads-shortlisted author Joss Richard brings a sex columnist and a newspaper reporter together for a sizzling new twist on fake dating. And in This Changes Everything, Danielle McKechnie turns the nostalgia of a big-city romcom into a tender story about second chances. Take your most suitable book home, or all three; we encourage experimenting. Hosted by Rachel Sargeant.

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Event Participants:

Katrina Kwan

KATRINA KWAN is a Vancouver-based author and actress. After graduating from Acadia University in 2017 with a BA in political science with honors, Kwan spent the next six years honing her creative skills as a freelance ghostwriter. With several ghostwritten romance novels under her belt, she’s ecstatic to finally be writing books under her own name.

Danielle McKechnie

DANIELLE MCKECHNIE studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School before moving to Los Angeles and transitioning to behind-the-scenes where she worked throughout the entertainment industry in film, television, traditional radio, and live entertainment. She now lives in her hometown of Vancouver with her husband and two daughters.

Joss Richard

JOSS RICHARD is the USA Today bestselling author of It's Different This Time, a Canada Reads 2026 finalist, and Daytime Emmy Award winner who has worked with Netflix, Disney, Hello Sunshine, and Reese’s Book Club. Born in Toronto, Ontario to Filipino immigrant parents, she now lives in Los Angeles, California.

Rachel Sargeant

RACHEL SARGEANT, aka AModelWhosRead, is a Canadian book blogger passionate about dark fantasy novels, queer romcoms, and dinosaur facts. With almost a decade of experience in the publishing world, she uses her social medias to share her love for stories and fascination with the fantastical. When not reading, you can find her browsing local bookstores, arguing with her sewing machine, and drinking copious amounts of iced coffee. You can find her @AModelWhosRead on all platforms.